Sports CS Ababu Namwamba blasts Fifa, announces FKF election date
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has blamed football’s international body Fifa for what he described as the current mess bogging down the development of the sport in Kenya.
The CS, who has of late been under fire over his management style at the Ministry of Sports, spoke on September 7, 2023, in his submission before the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare.
The Committee is chaired by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor.
Others members of the Committee are Enock Wambua (Kitui), George Mbugua (nominated), Steward Madzayo (Kilifi), Mohamed Faki (Mombasa) and Samson Cherargei (Nandi).
Namwamba assured the Senate that the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections are on course to be held on February 2024.
“Due date of election must be respected. The process must include inclusivity and all issues must be addressed and respected. The elections must be on February 24, 2023. The process must adhere to the Sports Act,” vowed Namwamba.
“Elections of FKF must be held on the due date. That is not negotiable. I have instructed the Registrar of Sports to form a technical committee and start preparing for a free, fair and verifiable election,” he asserted.
Namwamba made an appaearance at the Senate to respond to a petition by Nairobi County Football Association secretary Wilfred Marori and his Vihiga counterpart Peter Lisero.
The Sports CS further shared how he furnished Fifa with an inspection report conducted by the government citing massive financial misappropriation at the federation but no action has been taken.
He added that he even proposed to Fifa a normalisation committee be set up to replace FKF so as to handle football affairs in the interim but that request has not been responded to date.
“I’m in direct contact with Fifa and a fear of suspension shall not make us not take action. These international federations are protective of their member associations,” he added.
“We have armed Fifa with all the issues. I told their representatives when they visited the country that we expect nothing from Fifa but they must walk with us. There is no middle ground on this because Kenyan football must be fixed and if they will consider that government interference, then so be it,” said Namwamba.
Namwamba’s utterances come days after the Kenyan Football Players Association petitioned him over among others, the date and planning of a free and fair elections.
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